We’ve seen quite a bit of message traffic recently, both here and elsewhere, dealing with the question of “Who designed the platform that is used by the Model 950 and other brands that sell derivative products manufactured by Eastech, the core OEM/ODM company.” As you read all of these messages and claims, we urge you to remember that each of the companies involved needs to put their own best foot forward. There is both truth and marketing in everyone’s statement.

However, to set the record straight, it is appropriate for us to say the following on this subject and then leave it to you to make your decisions.

- The concept for this platform was developed as an original idea by the Outlaws. We outlined the basic feature set, developed the user interface, provided the basics of the system architecture, specified the major components and subsystems, and participated in the engineering design and evaluation. Anyone who doubts that this can look back in the archives to the press conference held at the CES in 2002 where Cirrus Logic and Eastech jointly announced the product as one developed with Outlaw.

- Anyone who doubts our design and engineering contribution ignores the fact that many of the key innovations of the product, including the triple crossover and the analog bass management switch were specifically engineered by Outlaw. In the case of the triple crossover, we developed the concept and handed it over to Cirrus Logic. They graciously developed the circuitry based on our requirements and then made it available to other licensees.

- We have never hidden the fact that the Model 950 is an OEM/ODM product. However, it is important to understand how that works in this particular case. The 950 was developed on an ODM basis for Outlaw, and in a number of key aspects, BY Outlaw. Once the underlying design was completed, Eastech offered it as an OEM product to other companies. Each of those companies makes their own arrangement with Eastech about what, if anything they wish to change. We have no control over what those changes are, and quite frankly, cannot comment on any claims since we are not involved in those businesses. All we can say for certain is that they are all changes to an underlying design originated by and for the Outlaws.

- Another piece of the puzzle that may help identify the origins of the 950 platform. The owner’s manual was written and designed by Outlaw. As part of our cooperative agreement with Eastech, they make that manual available to their customers as part of the OEM package. Think about it: Wouldn’t it make sense for the group that originated the product to write the manual? As with the product itself, Eastech’s customers are free to alter or adopt our basic manual as they see fit. Some do, some do not.

Regards,

Scott